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thercman
Full Member
Registered: 12/15/12
Posts: 147
Loc: Spokane WA, United States

I saw one of these used at guitar center today for $199. It has a couple hundred samples built in and was wondering if they are any good. I am not at familiar with it and was hoping for some insight....

It's a fairly legendary synth, and VAST is very capable, but DEEP, so plan accordingly for a steep learning curve if you get it. You can load more samples and add Orchestral & Contemporary ROMS if you install the Daughter Board [it may already have all this]. ROMs and parts are regularly available on eBay (but make sure that they are compatible with the rack version -- some parts are not interchangeable. All ROMs are, you just have to watch out for Daughter Boards and things like that).

The keyboard versions regularly sell for around $400, so I'd say this is a pretty good deal. It has a lot of sounds similar to that of the K-series -- great strings/orchestral and very editable sounds.

Current prices on eBay (just checked) are hovering between $240 and $500.

thercman
Full Member
Registered: 12/15/12
Posts: 147
Loc: Spokane WA, United States

Thanks for the help guys. Below is a pic of the actual item. Notice it doesn't have the jacks on the right side. Is that the card you were referring to? Anyway, I did put it on layaway earlier I just have to wait for two weeks to get it. Something about having to wait on a resold item. I scrolled through the menu and there are many pianos already installed as well as many orchestra instruments etc.

The display swap is surely a neat (and inexpensive) upgrade for the K2000. That electroluminescent screen has always been the Achilles Heel of the K2000 because the original screen dims with age and just looks bad. The fluorescent white-on-blue screens (like on the K-series) look much better, and have much better contrast and intensity. Keep in mind that there is some soldering involved, but there are lengthy tutorials online.

I believe the jacks to the right are for sampling (live mode). You can add this later, or just do without and use a computer for that (which would probably be easier anyway).

I've got one of these (K2000R) in my cupboard. Used it for many years. It's a VERY capable rack instrument. If you are into analog-kind synth sounds you can do wonders. Provided you spend the time learning the extremely flexible architecture. (In a way I consider the first Nord virtual analog synth as an instrument of the same kind, but with the tremendous difference of having an analog user interface, rather than the button/wheel interface of the K2000.) It has a sequencer, is programmable in almost all ways, and has a quite well sounding D/A interface. I still have warm feelings about it.

thercman
Full Member
Registered: 12/15/12
Posts: 147
Loc: Spokane WA, United States

Although I do have a big gaping hole in my rack that needs filled, do you guys believe this synth is still relevant? Even though it may be a good deal, if the sounds are antiquated then it may end up like yours, in a cupboard. So $200 wasted....

Yes it is still relevant and an amazing synth and learning tool. It has some limitations but if you've never owned a K-series $200 is a great way to get your feet wet. Find some old RAM and stick 64MB in it and you'll be amazed what samples and sounds you can find on the web for free.

thercman
Full Member
Registered: 12/15/12
Posts: 147
Loc: Spokane WA, United States

So I finally brought this home and plugged it in really quick. I tried to connect the midi to my NP2 and couldn't get it to work. I didn't have time to play with it since I have an exam tomorrow but I did download the 500 page book, I mean manual for it... Downside is that it doesn't fit into my rack. :-( I'll need to do some cutting. I have 30 days and if I don't like it I can return it.... We'll see...

Did you check whether the Midi channels match? Depending on the setup in which the K2000R was last used, it might be set to receiving data only on a specific channel, different from the one the NP2 uses to send data.

Does the MIDI LED on the front panel flash? Make sure you have the MIDI cables connected properly. After that press the MIDI button under the display. You'll find an ON/OFF switch for each MIDI channel. Scroll through all 16 channels by using the UP/DOWN (Chan/Bank) button to the left of the display.

thercman
Full Member
Registered: 12/15/12
Posts: 147
Loc: Spokane WA, United States

So instead of playing with the nord I just plugged it into the arturia and it worked right away... I have been playing with it for a couple hours and I think this is going back. I know it is a really an in depth synth etc, however with my other two synths I have enough sounds and the ones in this just aren't inspiring to me... It was worth a try anyway.